1 What are the new changes to the School Performance Grading Rules (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003)

2 This Year

3 Beginning in School Year The cut-off scores for the FCAT achievement levels will NOT be increased. The state will continue to use the SAME achievement levels. NOTE: The commissioner is to annually review and make a recommendation to the State Board about when to implement the higher standards. (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003)

4 Beginning in School Year The following requirement will be REMOVED: The difference between the reading gains for the Lowest 25% of students and the reading gains for all eligible students is no more than 10% points. (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003)

5 Beginning in School Year When the number of students used to determine the reading learning gains of the lowest 25% is less than 30, the results of the 30 lowest performing students in the school will be used. (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003)

6 Beginning in School Year When a school does not contain an assessed grade level (4 th, 8 th, or 10 th ) or when fewer than 30 students are tested, the District FCAT Writing average will be used. (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003)

7 Next Year

8 Beginning in School Year (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003) All students, regardless of disability or limited English proficiency classification, with valid FCAT scores in Reading in both the current and previous year will be included in School Grading. This will apply ONLY to: - Percent tested calculation, and - Learning gains calculation

9 Beginning in School Year (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003) The expected student performance for FCAT Writing will be 3.5 points. Schools will earn one point for each percent of students who score at or above 3.5 points. NOTE: This will also apply to school year

10 In Two Years

11 Beginning in School Year (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003) The expected student performance for FCAT Writing will be 4.0 points. Schools will earn one point for each percent of students who score at or above 4.0 points.

12 Beginning in School Year (Revisions made by the the State Board of Education on November 18, 2003) Science will be added to the school performance grading system as the 4 thachieving high standards category. Schools will earn one point for each percent of students who score at or above Achievement Level 3. NOTE: The grading scale will be adjusted accordingly.

13 Department of Research, Evaluation, and Accountability Dr. Marc Baron, Executive Director Dr. Lourdes Ferrer, Assessment Specialist for Secondary Schools Nancy Brito, Instructional Specialist for Elementary Schools PX:47521